Governor Tim Pawlenty and Lt. Governor Carol Molnau today announced the state will again deploy county Sentencing to Service (STS) crews and Adopt-a-Highway volunteers to clean up litter from along Minnesota's highways. "Operation Clean-Up" crews will begin working over the next few weeks and will continue through September.

"Minnesota's roadsides need a spring cleaning as travelers take to the roads this spring and summer," Governor Pawlenty said. "We want to duplicate the success of last year's highway clean-up effort by continuing to utilize volunteers and offenders who are working as part of their sentence."

Last year, Governor Pawlenty brought together the skills and resources of the Departments of Transportation (MnDOT) and Corrections for the first "Operation Clean-Up." The Department of Corrections provided both state work crews and the coordination of county STS crews, who were directed to the most highly traveled highways. More than 35,000 hours were dedicated to cleaning about 9,000 highway miles across the state.

Adopt-a-Highway volunteers, who clean up more accessible roads, will be asked to focus efforts in their areas during May. Lt. Gov. Molnau, Commissioner of the MnDOT, also encouraged additional volunteers to join a county or local Adopt-a-Road program, as most state highways are already adopted.

"Minnesota is home to many volunteers who help keep our roadsides clean," said Lt. Governor Molnau. "I am committed to building on that good will and continuing our support of those efforts." Information about the Adopt-a-Highway program can be found at: www.dot.state.mn.us/adopt/.

STS was created in 1986 as a sentencing alternative for Minnesota courts, putting carefully selected, non-violent offenders to work on community improvement projects. Judges can sentence offenders to STS rather than jail or fines, in combination with jail time, or as a probation sanction.

In addition to contributing to a cleaner Minnesota, the STS program reduces jail crowding and provides offenders with a positive way to repay the community for their offenses.

STS crews frequently work on river cleanup, trail development, and projects for public senior citizen housing. The Department of Natural Resources, local counties and other agencies identify work activities and supply equipment.

"Operation Clean-Up and STS is a great opportunity to bring together multiple public interests in a very positive way," said Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian.

About 29,000 offenders participate in STS annually, working over 1 million hours.